Filtering, why is it such a grey area?

UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

As above really, I'm surprised how much hassle it causes, both from a legal point of view (all the 'quoted' cases after accidents...) and from a highway code point of view.

Why don't they (whomever 'they' are) make it clearer? Include it as part of the theory test question bank to make all drivers aware of the term, and possible effects on their observation and so on.

To describe filtering would be something like 'overtaking slow moving or stationary traffic' but my train of thought goes all mushy past here, as it completely depends on how the lane is defined - solid line, broken line, chevrons and whether there is oncoming traffic in the lane to your right and so on.

The thing is, until I moved in biker circles, I'd never heard the term. I'd observed bikes overtaking while in traffic, and it looks like the biker is pushing in - as a car driver, I never considered it much past this point. I know now that it is indeed pushing in, but at a certain rate that you can't hold anyone up, because you'll be on your way much, much quicker than anyone in a car.

Anyone else?

Feasty · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :

I think you've just about asked and answered your own question all in one post - very clever! Wink

Acemastr · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Indeed, i agree it's quite a grey area, having just started owning/riding a 125 i filter a lot, but i only filter when i know it's safe to do so and isn't going to piss any car drivers off, now this morning i had to filter through 6-8miles of stationary traffic (some dumb bint in a Ford Ka went into the back of a pug 406) and a fair few drivers were courteous and moved over for me, which i thanked them as i went past.
Saying that, I'd be extremely careful about filtering past a police car, purely because i don't know if I'm completely legal in doing so.
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Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Acemastr · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

I've been pulled for it - because I was being "aggressive". Got a warning.

I was being aggressive, it's true. Don't blame them. Laughing

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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

Be careful what you wish for.

If it was made "more clear", I suspect that it would become 'less legal'....
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T.C · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

pyx_e · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Karma :

Good thread Stunty, anyway my gripe is the "pushing in" bit. If cagers obeyed the highway code ( keeping distance from vehicle in front) the there would be plenty of bike sized gaps all over the place. And anyone with half a brain would know that giving space for a bike is not going to cost you a second as they will be gone from that gap soon anyway.

Filtering=overtaking. Easier for bikes as they are smaller, quicker and more agile. Same rules apply though.
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